I have shopped at Wonderland Models numerous times. Selection of models is amazing, with a number…read moreof bargains to be had. Staff have always assisted me with open and honest service, even if it meant me spending less. I will be visiting again next week and already looking forward to going.

Wow! So many rooms of treasures!!! If you are a affectionado of model anything, this is the place…read moreto come. It's so fun to wander the neighborhoods wherever you are visiting to stumble across local businesses that are also dedicated to their particular craft, love, hobby, etc. I bought several of the cardboard models for stocking stuffers and had to resist buying a VW van one for fun because the suitcase is full of treats already. Wonderful helpful staff as well make this shop an absolute must stop and buy!

A great shop to see if you're a big Harry Potter fan. I've been to lots of HP gift shops and they…read morehad things I've seen before, for similar pricing. Even if you're not buying, it's still a fun shop!

Calling this a museum is quite a stretch... it is a gift shop for all things Harry Potter. It is…read morecool, but quite small and I wouldn't spend more than 10 minutes waiting in line unless you know for a fact there's something you intend to buy. We waited about 10 minutes and line and probably spent about 10 minutes inside. If we weren't in the area, I don't think it would have been worth it.

The guys at the Brew Store are super helpful. They will help you get started with everything you…read morewould need to brew at home! Come on, you know that you want to! Your own Beer or Cider! I know you can taste it already! Plus you can bake yummy breads with the yeast that is left over from the brewing process!

Popped in with the Other Half to get some advice about starting up and what temperature we need to…read morestart. The cheerie chap was really helpful and answered our questions. Defo looks like they offer loads for the home brewing too! I think we'll be back!

I am not a numismatic myself. If you don't know what that word means, you're probably not one…read moreeither. It doesn't refer to some sort of respiratory disorder, nor to an obscure sexual perversion - it's actually the term for someone who collects coins. Collects them in a deliberate, hobbyish sort of way, I mean, and doesn't just continually accumulate annoying piles of coppers at the bottom of their purse. Anyway. If coins are your thing, the Edinburgh Coin Shop is an obvious destination for you. It's a decidedly old-fashioned shop, with its peeling painted sign, gloomy interior and grime-encrusted windows, but inside is a wealth of small monies, and I get the impression that the people who run it know their stuff, and will be probably be able to answer any coin-related enquiries that you care to throw at them.

Hidden down a small and little-used laneway is the Edinburgh Coin Shop. So small you'll miss it if…read moreyou blink, so non-descript you might not know you've found it even while standing directly outside, it has a potent mixture of old-world charm and a greasy, under-hand, second-hand purveyor of anything, no questions asked. But this shop holds marvels of history, ancient coins medallions dating back to the Greeks, Romans and beyond. For a handful of change or a note or two, you can own a hand pressed silver Tetrobol from Histaea on the isle of Euboea from the 3rd century BC. Nothing brings human history into such sharp relief as exchanging coins of current mintage for those of long lost civilisations. Even if you do not intend to shop, the Coin Shop is definitely worth a look.

The Number 1 Bead Shop/Mylers Emporium is a mixture of crystals, jewellery, beads to make your own…read morejewellery and there's also a selection of Scottish inspired art work. My interest when I popped in here the other day was with the jewellery. I used to work in a jewellers in Glasgow and I always meant to take up an evening course in jewellery making but have never got round to it. I was curious about the jewellery making class here which is a one off class that costs £20 and during the class you are supplied with all the materials to make your own necklace, earring and bracelet set which you get to keep. There was a really friendly young man serving when I popped in and he told me all about the course and was very informative on all the stock when I was browsing. They have an excellent selection of beads in all different colours and made from various different materials, all very reasonably priced. If you are into jewellery making then in addition to buying the beads from here, you can also get the tools and wires here too. At the front of the shop there's also an excellent range of stunning crystals which are perfect for gifts or a treat for yourself as they'd look great around the house. Overall, an excellent shop, with great stock and friendly stars. I will definitely be back, hopefully to sign up for the jewellery making course!

Normally I would just pass by a Bead shop, as I am not particularly interested in doing "beady"…read morestuff, but on this occasion I was drawn into the No 1 Bead shop by its shop window display of colourful jewelry. I took a fancy in their selection of bracelets for a reasonable price and decided to walk into the shop for a good look around. After rattling on their door and still not being able to open, I realized (after a very embarrassing moment of self observation) that the door was locked and you had to ring a bell to be able to be let in. There was a very nice man behind the counter who acted very swiftly. He was also very efficient in showing me all their jewelry and making suggestions. With the bracelet there also came a corresponding little gift box and I was able to chose from a limited selection of colourful empty boxes. In the back of the shop I saw a massive collection of different beads (forms and colours) and there were a few people browsing. As mentioned, my experience with beads is pretty much nil, but I give this shop a 5 star until I will find another shop to compare it against :-)

Calling all Angelina Ballerina fans!…read more For the youngest (or older) beginner to the more professional, this shop has a great selection of tutus, ballet and dancer shoes plus great and useful bags. Basically anything you need to hit the studio. I came here in search for normal black ballet shoes and the lady was great in showing me how to fit them and sew the strap on (I am ballet- illiterate). I know that if I had found this shop 15 years ago (back in my short-lived ballet years) I would have been all over this shop. I actually saw 3 young girls running to this shop one day. Apart from dance equipment and information about dance performances and classes around the City (not just for ballet mind you) it also is a great reference point for girlie gifts, bags and even umbrellas too. I never took up ballet in the end but it certainly is a great shop dedicated to the art of dance.

I love ballet and everything associated with it. Edinburgh has a real lack of good dance stores,…read morebut luckily Dancia exists along with Dancewear on Rose Street. This shop will take care of your every dance need in whatever form you need it in. They have everything a budding ballerina needs, including a good pointe shoe fitting service. They also stock Gaynor Minden pointe shoes which will mean nothing to anyone who is not a dedicated ballerina! The staff are extremely helpful which is very important in a dance shop and will point you in the direction of the right RAD uniform or type of shoe. As with all good dance stores they have a good selection of gifts and girly things. So if your little dancer hasn't cleared out your bank balance enough with shoes and leotards, you can buy cute little trinkets and gifts for them. Loves this shop!

Okay so Games Workshop is a chain store but as most uber nerds will know, every Games Workshop is…read moredifferent. If you don't know already, the Games Workshop (or GW) is a UK based retailer which sells their own line of war-gaming miniatures across several table top based games collectively known as "Warhammer". In short Warhammer is a fantasy/sci-fi battle game in which the collector buys models, constructs and paints those models, puts together armies and plays an opponent in what amounts to very complicated Chess with a lot of luck thrown in. Sound overly complex or just weird? Not if you're basically ten years old at heart. One reason for writing a review for this GW is that I believe it's a great place for getting "the hobby" started. Every GW offers starter games to people who are starting to collect or are just simply interested. I have witnessed several games here and the staff seem particularly good at teaching the rules simply and emphasising the core of the game (particularly to younger players). In general the staff are really chatty and helpful. My collecting of Warhammer has been a bit on and off over the past couple of years due to the financial burden, but the staff are always eager to catch me up on the latest news. Some GW can come across as a bit overbearing, with local players always camped there and staff protective over their little club. This GW has never seemed like that and I am always comfortable walking in and asking questions or just browsing. It's also a great location, smack back in the middle of the Royal Mile. The stock is more or less the same as in other GW, with the various major games including popular The Lord of the Rings battle game. Having said this I seem to have been especially lucky in this shop in finding what I have been looking for. A great Games Worksop with helpful staff and a friendly atmosphere. Good for those already into the hobby, those just starting out or those even remotely interested.

Dabbled in these games once upon a time but had neither the patience nor the geek-factor required…read moreto become a 'gamer'. Did love painting the wee models though. As far as Game Workshops go the Edinburgh outlet is pretty solid. Small compared to others around the country but the seem to have an active community that game there frequently, the staff have always been friendly and helpful and continue to be so, and the artists in house are a talented and creative bunch. Do still love a neb in the window to see the creative aspect of the hobby. Prices - as always - however are stratospheric. Very glad the hoby didn't stick...!

While in town entertaining some out of town guests, we stopped in every Christmas shop we possibly…read morecould as our friend is an even bigger fan of Christmas than I am. This shop, while quite small, is packed full with various types of Christmasy things like ornaments, stockings, and loads of nick knacks to fill up any room of your house! Even though this isn't my favourite of the bunch we stopped in to, I do love the feeling it gives me when I walk in- all sorts of happiness and joy is felt just at the sight of the ornaments and the sound of Christmas music. If you're looking for Christmas stuff any time of the year, this is definitely one shop to venture to. Make no mistake, all the prices are relatively the same from shop to shop, so if you see one, buy it. It's more than likely bound to be the same price at the next shop.

A Christmas themed shop right bang slap on the historic Royal Mile. Jackpot!…read more I've enthused in one of my other Christmas shop reviews about how I become some sort of juvenile, santa and magic believer when the calendar hits the 1st December, and I'll do the same here. Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe gives you the opportunity to open a door and step into a world of enchanted, sparkly delights, where Christmas happens all year round if you want it to, with the shop space being your winter wonderland arena, where you can marvel at all the decorations and visualise your future tree, even if it's scorching hot outside (unlikely). There are some beautiful decorations here, which include an Alice in Wonderland and a historical range, with the adornments leaning towards the classic side of Christmas tree decoration rather than being super modern, but I like the traditional side of the festival season, so that suits me.